Label dispenser



June 1l, 1963 A. GoT-rlLY LABEL DISPENSER Filed Nov. 21, 1961 NV EN TOR.

3,093,278 LABEL DISPENSER Arthur L. Gottily, Pensacola, Fla., assigner, by mesme assignments, to Monsanto Chemical Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 21, 196i, Ser. No. 153,812 4 anims. (el. 22S- 42) This invention relates to label dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, relates to a label dispenser of the type adapted especially for association with textile bobbins, pirns, tubes, and the like.

In the textile industry, close identification is maintained over yarn processed from the time it is freshly spun to the time when the yarn is incorporated into an end product. Close supervision and identification of yarn are necessary primarily for purposes of quality control. Presently, yarns are identified through the use of labelling systems. Labels bearing indicia are attached on each bobbin packaged with yarn.

Certain problems derive from present practice in labelling yarn packages. These problems indicate a need for a satisfactory label dispsenser. By way of example, it is customary to initially package freshly spun yarn on socalled spin bobbins. The packaged spin bobbins are then removed or doffed and mounted on a carrier to be thereafter transported to other processing areas such as drawtwist areas. In the drawtwist areas the spin bobbins are removed from the carriers and mounted on appropriate drawtwist machinery. The newly spun yarn from each respective spin bobbin is then drawn and subsequently wound on smaller so-called drawtwist bobbins. Since the drawtwist bobbins are smaller and carry only a share of the yarn packaged on a spin bobbin, many drawtwist bobbins are generally packaged with yarn from one parent spin bobbin.

As a consequence of the transporting of spin bobbins from one area to another and the distribution of yarn from each spin bobbin to a number of smaller drawtwist bobbins, a system for maintaining a continuity of identification of the yarn is required. Various systems have been employed. One system used consists of attaching a strip of labels, each of which has the same printed matter thereon, to each spin bobbin packaged with freshly spun yarn. Thus, each spin bobbin has its own identifying strip of labels attached thereto while it is moved about to different areas. When the yarn is thereafter distributed from each spin bobbin to a number of drawtwist bobbins, an operator generally uses the following procedure. He removes the strip of labels attached to a spin bobbin, detaches a label from the strip, secures the detached label to a corresponding drawtwist bobbin, and then reattaches the strip of labels to the corresponding spin bobbin. This procedure is followed each time a drawtwist bobbin is fully packaged with yarn from a corresponding spin bobbin.

In such a system, presently, the conventional type spin bobbins do not incorporate effective means for securing a strip of labels thereto. Present means employed to hold a strip of labels on a spin bobbin are in the form of clips or the like which fasten to the spin bob-bins. These suggested means are unsatisfactory because they do not provide positive securement of the labels to the spin bobbins, they do not protect the labels from being soiled and bent, and they do not `serve as suitable label dispensers.

It is an object of this invention to provide a label holder, protector, and dispenser embodied in a unitary construction. Another object is to provide alabel dispenser adapted to be positively clipped to a bobbin and one that is provided with means for facilitating engagement and disengagement of the label dispenser therefrom. Another object is to provide a label dispenser of the type having a 3,093,278 Patented June 1l., 1963 longitudinal passage or track extending therethrough and open at its ends for accommodating ready insertion of and handy dispensing of labels. Another object is to provide a label dispenser having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough open at its ends and characterized by having at least one of the open ends curved so that labels may be discharged at an angle to the normal movement of the labels through the passage to position the labels so that they could be easily taken hold of. Another object is to provide a label dispenser having aperture means formed therein to permit manual contact of the labels normally positioned in a longitudinal passage for forwarding them to a discharge end of the passage. A further object is to provide a label dispenser having features of durability and simplicity in construction and economy.

According to the invention, the novel label dispenser comprises an elongated body having a transverse slot at one enlarged end thereof, and means projecting into said slot for lockingly aliixing the dispenser to a bobbin flange. A longitudinal passage having upwardly directed curved ends extends through the elongated body and opens outwardly thereof at its curved ends. An aperture formed in the elongated body permits manually accessability to the longitudinal passage.

The longitudinal passage is adapted to receive a strip of labels at one open end and to discharge the labels at its opposite open end. The aperture permits manual contact of the strip of labels for forwarding them progressively along toward the discharging end of the longitudinal passage. Cutting means provided on the label dispenser permits each label to be severed singly. Groove means formed on said elongated body permits the dispenser to be securely gripped when aiiixing or removing it from a bobbin.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawing and description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the novel label dispenser embodying the invention loaded with a strip of labels bearing like indicia of identification;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through 22 of FIGURE 1 with the labels removed for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through 3-3 of FIGURE 1 with the labels removed for clarity reasons;

FIGURE 4 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a modified label dispenser with the labels removed; and

FIGURE 5 is a view showing the label dispenser mounted on a bobbin and clipped to the bobbin flange.

Like components in each of the figures in the drawing are designated by like reference numerals.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURES 1-3, the label dispenser embodying the invention comprises an elongated member 1 of a predetermined width, and an apertured member 2 atlixed by rivets 3 or the like to the upper face or surface of elongated member l.

Elongated member 1 has a convex lower face and a recess 4 formed on its upper face. Recess 4 extends over the width of and substantially the length of member 1 and has a flat longitudinally extending portion formed between a pair of upwardly extending end walls of arcuate curvature.

One end, the front end, of elongated member 1 is of enlarged construction and is provided with a transverse U-shaped slot 5. Slot 5 is open to the convex lower face of member 1. An opening 6 extends axially and inwardn ly of the enlarged end of member 11 and joins one of the vertical walls dening slot S.

A cavity 7, aligned with opening 6, extends inwardly of the enlarged end from slot S. A locking assembly or catch having a spring-biased ball 8, preferably, is pressfit into cavity 7 with ball 8 projecting outwardly into slot 5.

A pair of grooves 9 for manually gripping ythe dispenser are located one at each side of the enlarged end of member 1 aft of slot 5.

Apertured member 2 is of elongate construction and has a pair of longitudinally extending spaced ribs 10 formed integrally therewith on one face or the bottom face thereof. Member 2 is positioned on member 1 with ribs 10 juxtaposed on recess 4 and is fastened thereto by rivets 3. With member 2 positioned on member 1 ribs 10 serve to define a longitudinal passage 11 therebetween.

Passage 11 has upwardly curved ends that open outwardly from members 1 and 2. An aperture 12 extending through the wall of member 2 opens into passage 11. A plurality of hollows 13 are formed within the end of member 1, opposite the enlarged end, for economy and design reasons.

In use, a strip of labels 14 comprising a number of separate disc-shaped labels, each connected to the other by a perforated seam and each bearing like indicia of identification, is inserted into the loading end iof passage 11 or the end opposite the enlarged end of member 1. The strip of labels is then pushed slidingly toward the opposite end or label discharge end thereof nearest slot 5. Ribs 10 serve to guide labels 14 through passage 11. The lead label emerges outwardly from the discharge end of passage 11 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of member 1. The inclined position of the label permits an operator to easily read the information printed thereon and also to permit the label to be readily grasped.

After the label dispenser is loaded with a strip of labels, it is clamped to `an annular ange 15 (FIG. 5) of a spin bobbin 16. By grasping the label dispenser adjacent grooves 9, clamping and removal of the dispenser to and from the bobbin, respectively, is facilitated. The dispenser is held securely on bobbin 16 by ball 8 of the locking assembly, ball 8 being biased against flange 15 by a spring 17 of the locking assembly (FIG. 3).

When the yarn from spin bobbin 16 is later distributed to a drawtwist bobbin, an operator grasps the lead label projecting from the discharge end of passage 11 and detaches it from the strip of labels by forcing the perforated side of the label against a cutting edge 18 (FIG. 3) formed in member 2 adjacent the discharge end of passage 11. The operator then aflixes the detached label to the drawtwist bobbin and thereafter in the same manner to succeeding drawtwist bobbins as the latter are subsequently packaged with yarn from a parent spin bobbin.

By inserting a linger into the aperture 12, an openator brings each succeeding label into a position for easy detachment by pushing the strip of labels forward to the discharge end of passage 11 so that the perforation connecting each label is lined up with the cutting edge 18.

In FIG. 4, a cross-section view of the label dispenser is shown wherein a modification is incorporated to provide a more secure interlocking engagement of members l and 2. The modification comprises forming a pair of spaced longitudinal ridges 19 on recess 4 of member 1 and forming a pair of complementary spaced longitudinal grooves 20, each on a respective one of ribs 10 of member 2. Ridges 19 are formed at the outermost edges of recess 4 and grooves 20 are formed on the outermost edges of ribs 10 so that when member 2 is juxtaposed on member 1, each ridge 19 engages a corresponding groove 20 in overlapping relation to lock members 1 and 2 against lateral movement.

rIhe label dispenser embodying the invention, in addition to providing a means for dispensing labels, serves as a label housing and a label protector. When incorporated into labelling system, as explained, the label dispenser improves the overall operation of the system by expediting operation, saving time, and providing a more reliable and dependable system.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the preferred embodiments shown and dcscribed herein, but that various modifications within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims may be contemplated and are intended to be included herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A label dispenser for use with a tubular bobbin provided with an annular flange, said label dispenser comprising an elongated body having an upper face and a convex bottom face for correspondingly engaging with the inner circumferential wall of the tubular bobbin, a longitudinal passage extending through said elongate body, said longitudinal passage having opposite arcuate ends each opening ioutwardly from said upper face of said elongated body and being adapted to receive a strip of labels at one of said arcuate ends and to discharge said strip of labels at the opposite arcuate end, said elongated body having an aperture opening into said longitudinal passage to permit finger contact of the strip of labels normally carried within said longitudinal passage for forwarding them slidingly toward said discharging arcuate end thereof, a cutting edge formed on said elongate body adjacent said opposite arcuate end of said longitudinal passage to permit severing of each label individually from the strip of labels by contact of the latter with said cutting edge, groove means formed at opposite sides of said elongate body for gripping the latter, said elongated body having a transverse slot formed at one end thereof at said convex bottom face thereof, said slot being of predetermined width to lit over the ange of the bobbin, and biased clamping means mounted within a cavity formed adjacent to said transverse slot in said elongated body for clamping by holding said label dispenser upon the liange of the bobbin.

2. A label dispenser for use with a Vtubular bobbin provided with an annular flange, said label dispenser comprising a pair of of elongated members, top and bottom respectively, said bottom member having a convex lower face and enlarged ends, a longitudinally extending recessed surface with arcuate ends formed on its upper face opposite said convex lower face and intermediate said enlarged ends, a transverse slot formed in one of said enlarged ends which slot opens to said convex lower face, a cavity adjacent said transverse slot and extending inwardly therefrom into said one enlarged end, biased clamping means mounted within said cavity and projecting into said transverse slot, and a pair of grooves each formed at opposite sides of said bottom member adjacent said transverse slot, said top member having a pair of spaced ribs formed at one side thereof with arcuate ends complernentary to said arcuate ends of said top member, an aperture extending through the wall thereof between said ribs, a cutting edge formed at one end thereof, said top member being mounted on said recessed surface of said bottom member with said ribs juxtaposed thereon and said cutting edge near said one enlarged end of said bottorn member, fastening means for clampingly securing said top member to said bottom member, whereby a longitudinally extending passage having upturned ends opening exteriorly of said label dispenser is defined between said top and bottom members, said longitudinally extending passage being adapted to accommodate a strip of labels insertable at one end of said passage and dischargeable at the opposite end thereof near said cutting edge to permit severence of each label from said strip, said strip of labels being slidable forward toward the discharge end of said passage by finger contact therewith via said aperture opening into said longitudinal passage, said label dispenser being adapted to be carried within said tubular bobbin so that said convex lower face of said bottom member contacts the inner circumferential surface of the tubular bobbin in complementary manner and said annular ange is securely clamped within said transverse slot by said biased clamping means.

3. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 2, further provided vvith a pair of grooves each formed within a respective lone of said ribs of said top member, and a pair of spaced ridges formed on said recessed surface of said bottom member, each of said ridges fltting into a corresponding groove When said top member is juxtaposed on said bottom member to lock the members against lateral displacement.

4. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said biased clampingl means comprises a casing open at one end thereof, a spherical member within said casing,

said spherical member having a diameter larger than the width fof said open end of said casing to be retained therein, and a spring engaging said spherical member at one end thereof and abutting the wall of said casing at its opposite end, said spring biasing said spherical member outwardly of said casing to project intro said transverse slot for engagement ywith the annular ange `of the tubular bobbin.

Hebig Aug. 23, 1932 Warren et al. May 30, 1944 

1. A LABEL DISPENSER FOR USE WITH A TUBULAR BOBBIN PROVIDED WITH AN ANNULAR FLANGE, SAID LABEL DISPENSER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY HAVING AN UPPER FACE AND A CONVEX BOTTOM FACE FOR CORRESPONDINGLY ENGAGING WITH THE INNER CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL OF THE TUBULAR BOBBIN, A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID ELONGATE BODY, SAID LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE HAVING OPPOSITE ARCUATE ENDS EACH OPENING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER FACE OF SAID ELONGATED BODY AND BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A STRIP OF LABELS AT ONE OF SAID ARCUATE ENDS AND TO DISCHARGE SAID STRIP OF LABELS AT THE OPPOSITE ARCUATE END, SAID ELONGATED BODY HAVING AN APERTURE OPENING INTO SAID LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE TO PERMIT FINGER CONTACT OF THE STRIP OF LABELS NORMALLY CARRIED WITHIN SAID LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE FOR FORWARDING THEM SLIDINGLY TOWARD SAID DISCHARGING ARCUATE END THEREOF, A CUTTING EDGE FORMED ON SAID ELONGATE BODY ADJACENT SAID OPPOSITE ARCUATE END OF SAID LONGITUDINAL PASSAGE TO PERMIT SEVERING OF EACH LABEL INDIVIDUALLY FROM THE STRIP OF LABELS BY CONTACT OF THE LATTER WITH SAID CUTTING EDGE, GROOVE MEANS FORMED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ELONGATE BODY FOR GRIPPING THE LATTER, SAID ELONGATED BODY HAVING A TRANSVERSE SLOT FORMED AT ONE END THEREOF AT SAID CONVEX BOTTOM FACE THEREOF, SAID SLOT BEING OF PREDETERMINED WIDTH TO FIT OVER THE FLANGE OF THE BOBBIN, AND BIASED CLAMPING MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN A CAVITY FORMED ADJACENT TO SAID TRANSVERSE SLOT IN SAID ELONGATED BODY FOR CLAMPING BY HOLDING SAID LABEL DISPENSER UPON THE FLANGE OF THE BOBBIN. 